Hello!
I am amazed at how quickly time flies and how easily weeks can slip away without getting to this little blog to do some blogging. Life is good and things have been really wonderful since I was last here. I won’t go into a big long thing about it, but when I say that life is good and things have been really wonderful, you also know that things have been messy, there have been bad moments and it’s not 24 hours a day of bliss, right? I do live a normal, real life. But at the end of the day, I can either focus on the few hair-pulling moments and let those define my day, me, my life, or I can look back at the simple little moments of happy and focus on those and let them define my day, me, my life. So, I choose the latter.
A couple of weeks ago, we headed off for the cottage where we go every summer. This year it was a little different since I am working now and had to get time off work and only go for 2 weeks instead of the usual 6 weeks. What a life, right? I forever know to be grateful for such blessings. My job is amazing and they let me go! 
Yay!
It was actually nice this time being there for 2 weeks instead of 6. We soaked up every last minute of it knowing it wasn’t going to last as long. It was so relaxing now that my kids are older and strong swimmers and much more independent and capable than in past years.
I have now spent 31 summers at this place and it is just amazing to me how much things stay the same. My kids play on the same shore that my brother and I did, they play the same games in the water, there is the same familiar slam of the screen door. Sure, some things have changed, but the important stuff has stayed the same and I love that so much.
My son sat and drew pictures at the same desk that my mom and her sisters sat at and drew pictures when they were little after it was handed down to them. I can’t think of many happier things than seeing something that has touched so many lives.
The cottage isn’t a place where anyone accumulates anything. No one goes shopping or replaces stuff just because. The same dressers that were used in 1918 are used today. The same tables, rocking chairs, and benches. There is a built-in contentment, a letting-go of perfection that isn’t felt other places. It’s okay for things to be imperfect and I love coming home with that feeling and letting it linger on, reminding myself that my home can be the exact same way.
And so, we spent 17 lazy days by the lake. It was, truly, perfect in life’s imperfect way. Doing puzzles that were frustrating, teaching kids to fish with scary hooks, dealing with bumps and bruises, and loving every moment.
THIS.IS.THE.BEST!!! Reading & lookink at your pictures is like opening a magazine in front of a warm fireplace or sitting on the beach listening to waves !!!! Thank-You! Kim McMaster
I LOVE SWEET SUMMERTIME !
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awe…. love those days. that is how i remember my childhood, and i miss it. it is such a different life than the one we live today. i’m so happy that you can share that with your kids.
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Such a beautiful place! I’m so glad you were able to enjoy and recharge! Have a great weekend!
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Reading this post made me instantly relaxed. I love the idea of your kids playing in the same place that you and your brother did while you were growing up. What a sense of history this cottage seems to have.
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*sigh* I love reading this since I read it while at my Cottage by the lake here in Maine
It’s over a 100 years old and all of it has been owned by my family. I played where my grandparents played and my kids play there now too. Everything is a mish-mash of cast off furniture ‘too good’ to throw out so it goes to camp & also items that are handmade to fill a need.
I’m so glad you got to go this year-I was worried you wouldn’t be able too since you were working now.
Glad you enjoyed & glad you are back!
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I absolutely love that you have a place filled with so many wonderful memories and that your children are now making them, too!
What a blessing!
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I try to live cottage life year round, too. My house is small enough to be a cottage so I like to imagine I live in one. Makes for quite a care-free attitude! Love the wholesome message here and so many other places on your blog.
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It looks so beautiful there. I love the pictures by the lake. It makes me want to take some time off and find a place like that to just enjoy life with my family.
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Wow! It’s great to see that your kids have a real childhood and enjoy the outdoors. I love the shots of them jumping off the docks! Little adventurers. Your vacation looks absolutely perfect. Thanks for sharing!
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